CHESTERFIELD have failed in their attempt to sign midfielder Jonathan Douglas from Blackburn Rovers.

The Spireites approached the highly-rated 21-year-old about a possible loan move to Saltergate, but Douglas has since forced his way into Graeme Souness' first-team plans and featured in the FA Cup tie at Sunderland.

Chesterfield's assistant manager Lee Richardson said: "We asked Blackburn about his availability and we tried to get him down here, but it looks unlikely now."

But Richardson added Chesterfield will continue to monitor Douglas' progress and may make another offer if his situation at Blackburn changes.